225/40R18 vs 225/45R18 tire size

A 225/45R18 is 0.89 inches (22 mm) taller than a 225/40R18, and the same width. Fit them in place of 225/40R18 tires and the speedometer reads low: at 60 mph on it you’re doing 62.1 mph, 3.5% faster, and the vehicle sits 0.44 inches (11 mm) higher.

Sources checked

Dimension225/40R18225/45R18Change
Overall diameter25.09 in (637 mm)25.97 in (660 mm)+0.88 in (+23 mm)
Section width8.86 in (225 mm)8.86 in (225 mm)0.00 in (0 mm)
Sidewall height3.54 in (90 mm)3.99 in (101 mm)+0.45 in (+11 mm)
Aspect ratio40%45%
Rim diameter18 in18 in
Circumference78.8 in (2,002 mm)81.6 in (2,073 mm)+2.8 in
Revolutions per mile804777−27
Revolutions per km500483−17

Check another speed or size

Metric, LT and flotation

As printed on the sidewall: 265/70R17, LT285/75R16, 33x12.50R15.

Leave it empty to see one size on its own.

mph

Set for your tire size.

Speed unit

At 60 mph on the speedometer you’re doing

62.1mph

+3.5% · the speedometer reads low

Height
+0.89 in (+22 mm)
Width
0.00 in (0 mm)
Ground clearance
+0.44 in (+11 mm)
Each side, same wheel
0.00 in (0 mm)

225/40R18 and 225/45R18 side by side

Dimension225/40R18225/45R18Change
Overall diameter25.09 in (637 mm)25.97 in (660 mm)+0.88 in (+23 mm)
Section width8.86 in (225 mm)8.86 in (225 mm)0.00 in (0 mm)
Sidewall height3.54 in (90 mm)3.99 in (101 mm)+0.45 in (+11 mm)
Aspect ratio40%45%
Rim diameter18 in18 in
Circumference78.8 in81.6 in+2.8 in
Revolutions per mile804777−27
Revolutions per km500483−17

The working

  1. 225/40R18: sidewall = 225 mm × 40% = 90.0 mm = 3.54 in.
  2. Diameter = rim + 2 × sidewall = 18 + 2 × 3.54 = 25.09 in (637 mm).
  3. Circumference = π × 25.09 = 78.8 in; revolutions per mile = 63,360 ÷ 78.8 = 804.
  4. 225/45R18: sidewall = 225 mm × 45% = 101.3 mm = 3.99 in.
  5. Diameter = rim + 2 × sidewall = 18 + 2 × 3.99 = 25.97 in (660 mm).
  6. Circumference = π × 25.97 = 81.6 in; revolutions per mile = 63,360 ÷ 81.6 = 777.
  7. Speedometer. True speed = what it shows × new diameter ÷ old = 60 × 25.97 ÷ 25.09 = 62.1 mph.
  8. Ground clearance. Half the change in diameter: (25.97 − 25.09) ÷ 2 = +0.44 in.

Speedometer

A 225/45R18 turns 777 times a mile against the 225/40R18’s 804. With a speedometer set for 225/40R18, true speed is what it shows × 25.97 ÷ 25.09:

Speedometer showsTrue speedDifference
25 mph25.9 mph+0.9 mph
35 mph36.2 mph+1.2 mph
45 mph46.6 mph+1.6 mph
55 mph56.9 mph+1.9 mph
65 mph67.3 mph+2.3 mph
75 mph77.6 mph+2.6 mph

Clearance

  • Ground clearance: +0.44 in (+11 mm), half the change in diameter.
  • Top of the tread: +0.44 in (+11 mm), so that much less room under the fender.
  • Each side, on the same wheel: no change.

A new wheel with a different width or offset moves the tire again. The sidewall goes from 3.54 to 3.99 inches.

What tire makers publish

Inflated on the maker’s measuring rim; the percentage is against the arithmetic.

TireSize as printedDiameterWidthRevs per mile
Toyo Proxes Sport A/S225/40R1825.1 in (+0.1%)9.1 in828
Toyo Extensa A/S II225/45R1825.9 in (−0.3%)8.9 in801
Toyo Proxes Sport A/S225/45R1825.9 in (−0.3%)8.9 in801

Each size on its own

Other comparisons

Questions

Can I fit 225/45R18 tires instead of 225/40R18?

They fit the same 18-inch wheels. A 225/45R18 is 0.89 inches (22 mm) taller than a 225/40R18, and the same width, so check three things first: that your wheels are within the 225/45R18’s approved rim width range, which tire makers list for each size; that it clears the fenders and suspension at full lock and full travel; and that its load index meets what your door-jamb placard asks for.

How far off is the speedometer with 225/45R18 tires?

With a speedometer set for 225/40R18, the speedometer reads low: at 60 mph on it you’re doing 62.1 mph, 3.5% faster. The odometer is off the same way: over 1,000 miles driven it shows 965.9.

Does 225/45R18 change the ground clearance?

By +0.44 inches (+11 mm), half the change in diameter, at the axles and at the lowest point under them. The width doesn’t change.

Sources

  1. Bridgestone Americas: Determining tire size: P-metric, Euro-metric, LT-metric, C-type and flotation sizes, and what each number means (checked October 28, 2026)
  2. Toyo Tires: Extensa A/S II sizes and specifications: inflated overall diameter and width, revolutions per mile (checked October 28, 2026)
  3. Toyo Tires: Proxes Sport A/S sizes and specifications: inflated overall diameter and width, revolutions per mile (checked October 28, 2026)
  4. Toyo Tires: Open Country A/T III sizes and specifications: P-metric, LT-metric and flotation sizes, with revolutions per mile (checked October 28, 2026)
  5. Nitto Tire: Trail Grappler M/T sizes and specs: inflated overall diameter and width, LT-metric and flotation sizes (checked October 28, 2026)

Spotted a number that doesn’t match your manual or a source? Tell us; corrections are logged on the sources page.